Metallica confirmed for London "Live Earth" show

Metallica will perform at the Live Earth concert in London on July 7th, according to a post at the band's official web site. The band will join the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol, the Beastie Boys, Spinal Tap, Madonna and others at the Wembley Stadium show, which is part of the 24-hour global series of concerts being held to raise awareness of global warming. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement, "I love my sons. I want them to 'inherit the Earth' FOR REAL! We keep waiting for future generations to solve the problems; to invent cleaner technology; to pay the costs...that's the same as passing the buck. I want the buck to stop here, now. I want lawmakers and laws to impose change. Nothing else will keep this world safe for my sons."

Metallica's performance will be available to download for a minimal fee on iTunes and the band's live download site, livemetallica.com, shortly after the band plays. All proceeds from the sale of downloads will go to four climate organizations selected by Metallica.

The Live Earth concerts will begin in Sydney, Australia and continue with eight more events across all seven continents, including shows in Japan, Turkey, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, China and the U.S.

The concerts were conceived by former Vice President Al Gore as a way to get the message out to the world about the threat of global warming. Live Earth will air on NBC-TV as well as five cable networks, with complete online and extensive radio coverage as well.

According to MTV, Gore responded this week to Live Aid and Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof, who complained that Live Earth lacked specific goals. Gore said, "We will have very specific goals that will be very significant and hard-hitting. We will announce those before the concert then emphasize them heavily during the concert." Gore has also fended off accusations that the concerts themselves will use up energy and cause pollution.